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26-28 Library Books - Third-Party Platform Perpetual Access

UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Oct 2026 at 15:43

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Wolverhampton Enterprise Limited procured digital academic books and publications for its teaching, learning and research collections. The requirement is for title-by-title perpetual access rights under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. Content is hosted on third-party platforms rather than the aggregator’s own platform, giving students and academic staff continuing access to selected materials without recurring subscription payments. This supports curriculum delivery, independent study, research and long-term collection development. The procurement is for library books, with associated library services, and delivery is in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. The books and digital content are intended to provide reputable published sources and maintain access to core teaching and research materials.

The procurement has been awarded to EBSCO International Inc. through a direct call-off from the SUPC framework for Books, e-Books and Associated Services, using a selective procedure. The award was made on 12 August 2026, retrospectively from the contract start date of 1 August 2026. The awarded value is £120,000. The contract runs for two years, with an optional extension of up to 24 months, and is scheduled to end on 31 July 2030. The tender deadline was 31 July 2026. The procurement covers title-by-title perpetual access rights to digital publications; no separate lots are identified. Small and medium-sized businesses were considered suitable to participate. The award criteria and their weighting are not set out in the published details.

For suppliers competing when this requirement returns to market, the work demonstrates demand from the University of Wolverhampton for ongoing access to digital academic books, rather than short-term subscriptions. A credible competitor would need established relationships with approved publishers and content providers, and the ability to secure title-by-title perpetual access licences for publications hosted on third-party platforms. The service must support academic teaching, independent study and research, with access to reputable published content for enrolled students and academic staff. Suppliers should be able to operate within the relevant higher-education books and e-books framework route and manage a collection that supports long-term access to core resources. The award went to a large supplier, but SMEs were identified as suitable for this type of procurement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

26-28 Library Books - Third-Party Platform Perpetual Access

Notice Description

Library Books contracts form a core component of the University's provision of teaching, learning and research resources. They enable the University to supply enrolled students and academic staff with access to published content that supports curriculum delivery, independent study and academic research, ensuring sources are obtained from reputable authors and publishers. Third-Party Platform Perpetual Access, covers the acquisition of title-by-title perpetual access rights to digital publications under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. However, instead of being hosted on the contracted aggregator's platform, the licence purchased through the aggregator permits access to titles hosted elsewhere. These purchases provide the University with ongoing access to academic and research materials without the need for recurring subscription payments, supporting long-term collection development and ensuring continued availability of core teaching and research resources. Direct Award through the SUPC framework for Books, e-Book and Associated Services (LIB4061 SU). Term: 2 Years, plus optional 24 month extension (2+1+1). Contract Award is retrospective to the Contract start date

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6849d330-40c5-4980-b408-97f1d2c84dea
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9a676ed0-6fb5-4fac-8337-4ce3c2206b4e
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

22113000 - Library books

92511000 - Library services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WOLVERHAMPTON
Postcode
WV1 1LY
Postcode Area
Wolverhampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG39 Wolverhampton
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Wolverhampton
Electoral Ward
St Peters
Westminster Constituency
Wolverhampton West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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